Crossword Genius

'Penalise' sounds a bit like wordplay? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

punish

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'penalise' is the definition.
(I know that penalise can be written as punish)

'sounds a bit like wordplay?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'bit' could be 'i' (resembles 1, a binary digit or bit) and 'i' is located in the answer.
'wordplay?' could be 'puns' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'puns' is found in the leftover letters.
A single letter 'h' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for punish that I've seen before include "Inflict a penalty upon" , "Chastise" , "Discipline" , "Like wordplay in speech" , "Treat harshly or severely" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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